PT Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
A UN/LOCODE normally combines the two-letter country prefix PT with a three-letter location identifier. Examples in the indexed sample include PTLIS for Lisbon, PTSNS for Sines and PTLEI for Leixoes.
Seaports in Portugal: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Portugal has 39 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Atlantic container, bulk, ro-ro, energy and island supply chains.
Use verified UN/LOCODE references to compare Portugal gateways and plan international sea freight.
Portugal Seaport Overview
Portugal’s seaport system combines mainland Atlantic gateways with Madeira and Azores facilities. Lisbon, Leixoes and Sines are the principal commercial references for international container and general cargo planning, while smaller ports serve regional, industrial, fishing and island logistics.
39
Portugal ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
—
National port cargo tonnage, 2025; consolidated YoY figure not published in a single verified source
AMT / port authorities · 2025
—
National container throughput, 2025; consolidated YoY figure requires port-level aggregation
Port authorities · 2025
—
National commercial-berth count, 2025; definitions differ by port authority
Official port sources · 2025
How many seaports does Portugal have?
Portugal has 39 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage count, not a statutory count of every maritime facility.
What is Portugal’s largest or busiest container gateway?
Sines is generally regarded as Portugal’s leading deep-water container gateway, while Lisbon and Leixoes also handle important container and general cargo flows. The Ecer Freight reference code for Sines is PTSNS.
Which regions handle most Portugal freight?
Mainland freight is concentrated around the Lisbon and Setubal area, the northern Leixoes and Porto cluster, and the Sines industrial gateway. Lisbon uses PTLIS, Leixoes uses PTLXS, and Setubal uses PTSET in the indexed sample.
Top Portugal Ports by Commercial Relevance
The following selection uses the highest-ranked Portugal records in the Ecer Freight sample. A verified, consolidated 2025 world-rank league table with comparable TEU and year-on-year values is not available across all listed ports; therefore the three statistical fields are left unified rather than mixing incompatible measures.
Indexed commercial gateways and 2025 comparable throughput fields
Portugal Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Port selection depends on cargo type, vessel service, inland destination, equipment availability and final-mile requirements. The regional groups below are operational clusters rather than formal administrative port authorities.
Lisbon and Setubal Area
This cluster supports the Lisbon metropolitan market, industrial cargo, vehicles, containers and general cargo.
Mainland south-central gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | PTLIS | Lisboa / — | Containers, general cargo, cruise and regional distribution |
| Setubal | PTSET | Setubal / — | Ro-ro, vehicles, general cargo and industrial freight |
| Setubal | PTSBL | — / — | Supplementary indexed Setubal record |
| Barreiro | PTBAR | Barreiro / — | Local and industrial marine logistics |
Northern Portugal
The northern cluster serves Porto-area manufacturing, consumer markets and regional distribution through the Leixoes complex.
Northern Atlantic gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leixoes | PTLEI | Matosinhos / — | Containers, general cargo and northern Portugal distribution |
| Leixoes | PTLXS | Matosinhos / — | Supplementary indexed Leixoes record |
| Porto | PTPOR | Porto / — | Regional commercial and cargo services |
| Oporto | PTOPO | Porto / — | Supplementary indexed Porto record |
| Viana Do Castelo | PTVDC | Viana Do Castelo / — | Project, industrial and regional cargo |
Central and Alentejo Coast
Central and southern mainland facilities support industrial, bulk, container, fishing and project cargo flows.
Central and south-western gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sines | PTSNS | Sines / — | Deep-water containers, energy, bulk and industrial cargo |
| Aveiro | PTAVE | Aveiro / — | Short-sea, bulk, general and industrial cargo |
| Figueira | PTFIG | Figueira Da Foz / — | Forestry products, general and regional cargo |
| Portimao | PTPRM | Portimao / — | Regional, cruise and coastal maritime activity |
| Vila Real | PTVIR | Vila Real / — | Local and regional maritime activity |
Madeira and Azores
Island ports are important for domestic supply chains, tourism, fisheries and inter-island connectivity. Sailing frequency and equipment availability can be more schedule-sensitive than on the mainland.
Atlantic island gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zona Franca Da Madeira | PTZFM | Zona Franca Da Madeira / — | Island logistics, industrial and free-zone cargo |
| Funchal | PTFNC | Funchal / — | Island supply, cruise and regional cargo |
| Ponta Delgada | PTPDL | Ponta Delgada / — | Azores supply chain and inter-island cargo |
| Horta | PTHOR | Horta / — | Island, fishing and regional maritime services |
| Praia Da Vitoria | PTPRV | Praia Da Vitoria / — | Azores regional supply and general cargo |
| Porto Santo Island | PTPXO | Porto Santo Island / — | Island supply and passenger-linked cargo |
Portugal Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
Portugal port identifiers use the country prefix PT. Always compare the code, port name, terminal, carrier booking record and bill of lading instructions before cargo release.
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
A location code may identify a port city, commercial port or a related maritime facility. Duplicate or alternate records can occur in trade data, so the exact terminal, operator, voyage and inland delivery point should be confirmed separately.
How to Verify a Portugal Port Code
Cross-check the code against the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight Port Codes directory. Carrier schedules and shipping instructions remain the controlling operational references.
Shipping from Portugal: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative port-to-port planning ranges. Actual schedules vary by carrier rotation, transshipment, congestion, equipment, customs clearance and final inland delivery.
Portugal to North Europe
Regular Atlantic services connect mainland Portugal with Northern European distribution hubs and industrial markets.
Portugal to the Mediterranean
Mediterranean services support connections to Southern Europe, Turkey, North Africa and transshipment networks.
Portugal to North America
Atlantic container services link Portugal with North American gateways, often subject to direct-service and transshipment schedules.
Portugal to Madeira and the Azores
Island services carry essential goods, retail cargo, project shipments and equipment from mainland Portugal.
Data Sources and Methodology
Indexed coverage, port naming and location codes are separated from national throughput statistics. Where a comparable 2025 figure could not be verified across the full Portugal sample, the relevant field is shown as unavailable rather than estimated.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 39 Portugal ports and terminals in the Nov 2026 snapshot.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code verification.
- Autoridade da Mobilidade e dos Transportes — Portugal transport and port-sector statistical context.
- Ports of Sines and the Algarve Authority — Sines port operations and gateway context.
- APDL — Leixoes, Porto and northern Portugal port information.
- Lisbon Port Authority — Lisbon port and regional maritime context.
Portugal Seaport FAQ
How many seaports does Portugal have?
Portugal has 39 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the November 2026 database snapshot. The figure describes indexed coverage and is not a statutory national port count.
What is the main container port in Portugal?
Sines is generally considered Portugal’s leading deep-water container gateway. Lisbon and Leixoes are also important commercial container ports, subject to carrier service and cargo requirements.
What is the UN/LOCODE for Lisbon?
The indexed UN/LOCODE for Lisbon is PTLIS. Booking documents should still be checked against the carrier’s named place and terminal instructions.
Which Portugal regions handle the most freight?
The principal commercial clusters are the Lisbon and Setubal area, northern Portugal around Leixoes and Porto, and the Sines industrial gateway. Madeira and the Azores support important island supply chains.
How current is the Portugal port data?
The indexed-port snapshot is dated November 2026. Statistical references prioritize the most recent complete year, 2025, but port-level publication timing and definitions can differ.
Can freight rates be requested for Portugal?
Yes. FCL and LCL quotations can be requested with the origin, destination, cargo type, dimensions or container requirement, weight, ready date and any special handling details.
Editorial note: This Portugal port guide combines Ecer Freight’s first-party port index with UN/LOCODE references and official or port-authority context. Indexed coverage is reviewed with database updates, while trade statistics and port operating conditions are reviewed quarterly and remain subject to official revisions.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Portugal: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact